Impact of Iron Deficiency Anemia on Postoperative Outcomes of Thoracolumbar Spinal Fusion (2+ levels) on Patients with Adult Spinal Deformity with Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up

Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common hematological disorder and cause of low hemoglobin. Preoperative anemia has been demonstrated to increase the risk of adverse outcomes after posterior cervical fusion and other spinal surgeries. The need for a transfusion during lumbar fusion ha...

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Main Authors: Alex C. Jung, Olivia Tracey, Ryan Kong, Neil Patel, Bana Hadid, Chibuokem Ikwuazom, Neil Shah, Carl Paulino, Jad Bou Monsef
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research 2025-03-01
Series:Spine Surgery and Related Research
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Online Access:https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/ssrr/9/2/9_2023-0275/_pdf/-char/en
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author Alex C. Jung
Olivia Tracey
Ryan Kong
Neil Patel
Bana Hadid
Chibuokem Ikwuazom
Neil Shah
Carl Paulino
Jad Bou Monsef
author_facet Alex C. Jung
Olivia Tracey
Ryan Kong
Neil Patel
Bana Hadid
Chibuokem Ikwuazom
Neil Shah
Carl Paulino
Jad Bou Monsef
author_sort Alex C. Jung
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common hematological disorder and cause of low hemoglobin. Preoperative anemia has been demonstrated to increase the risk of adverse outcomes after posterior cervical fusion and other spinal surgeries. The need for a transfusion during lumbar fusion has been shown to increase length of stay. This study aimed to assess the impact of IDA on outcomes after spinal fusion for adult spinal deformity (ASD). Methods: The New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database was searched from 2009 to 2013 to identify all patients undergoing 2-level thoracolumbar spinal fusion (primary and revision) for ASD with a 2-year follow-up. The patients were then stratified by the presence or absence of IDA. Patients with IDA and patients without IDA were subjected to 1:1 propensity score matching based on age, sex, and obesity. Univariate analysis was employed to compare demographics, hospital parameters, and rates of adverse outcomes. Multivariate binary logistic regression with odds ratio (OR) was employed to identify independent risk factors for adverse postoperative outcomes. Results: A total of 524 patients (262 with IDA and 262 without IDA) were identified. Patients with IDA experienced higher rates of overall surgical complications (50.4% vs 23.7%, P<0.001), wound complications (3.4% vs 0.4%, P=0.011), and blood transfusion (10.3% vs 6.5%, P<0.001). No difference was observed in the rate of overall medical complications. Patients with and without IDA had comparable rates of readmission (8.0% vs 13.0%, P=0.064), although patients with IDA had lower rates of reoperation (7.6% vs 13.0%, P=0.044). There was no mortality in either cohort. IDA was independently associated with wound complications (OR=10.6, P=0.028), blood transfusion (OR=3.9, P<0.001), and surgical complications (OR=3.5, P<0.001). Conclusions: Baseline IDA was predictive of increased wound complications, postoperative blood transfusion, and overall surgical complications after thoracolumbar fusion surgery for ASD. Our findings could inform potential medical interventions to mitigate the risks of adverse outcomes in patients with IDA. Level of Evidence: III, retrospective cohort
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spelling doaj-art-a962c2ecf2c84f40b73faf1f03a69c4a2025-08-20T02:11:34ZengThe Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related ResearchSpine Surgery and Related Research2432-261X2025-03-019221121710.22603/ssrr.2023-02752023-0275Impact of Iron Deficiency Anemia on Postoperative Outcomes of Thoracolumbar Spinal Fusion (2+ levels) on Patients with Adult Spinal Deformity with Minimum 2-Year Follow-UpAlex C. Jung0Olivia Tracey1Ryan Kong2Neil Patel3Bana Hadid4Chibuokem Ikwuazom5Neil Shah6Carl Paulino7Jad Bou Monsef8Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical CenterDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical CenterDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical CenterDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical CenterDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical CenterDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical CenterDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical CenterDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical CenterDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical CenterIntroduction: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common hematological disorder and cause of low hemoglobin. Preoperative anemia has been demonstrated to increase the risk of adverse outcomes after posterior cervical fusion and other spinal surgeries. The need for a transfusion during lumbar fusion has been shown to increase length of stay. This study aimed to assess the impact of IDA on outcomes after spinal fusion for adult spinal deformity (ASD). Methods: The New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database was searched from 2009 to 2013 to identify all patients undergoing 2-level thoracolumbar spinal fusion (primary and revision) for ASD with a 2-year follow-up. The patients were then stratified by the presence or absence of IDA. Patients with IDA and patients without IDA were subjected to 1:1 propensity score matching based on age, sex, and obesity. Univariate analysis was employed to compare demographics, hospital parameters, and rates of adverse outcomes. Multivariate binary logistic regression with odds ratio (OR) was employed to identify independent risk factors for adverse postoperative outcomes. Results: A total of 524 patients (262 with IDA and 262 without IDA) were identified. Patients with IDA experienced higher rates of overall surgical complications (50.4% vs 23.7%, P<0.001), wound complications (3.4% vs 0.4%, P=0.011), and blood transfusion (10.3% vs 6.5%, P<0.001). No difference was observed in the rate of overall medical complications. Patients with and without IDA had comparable rates of readmission (8.0% vs 13.0%, P=0.064), although patients with IDA had lower rates of reoperation (7.6% vs 13.0%, P=0.044). There was no mortality in either cohort. IDA was independently associated with wound complications (OR=10.6, P=0.028), blood transfusion (OR=3.9, P<0.001), and surgical complications (OR=3.5, P<0.001). Conclusions: Baseline IDA was predictive of increased wound complications, postoperative blood transfusion, and overall surgical complications after thoracolumbar fusion surgery for ASD. Our findings could inform potential medical interventions to mitigate the risks of adverse outcomes in patients with IDA. Level of Evidence: III, retrospective cohorthttps://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/ssrr/9/2/9_2023-0275/_pdf/-char/ensparcsthoracolumbar fusionspinal fusioniron deficiency anemiaadult spinal deformityoutcomes
spellingShingle Alex C. Jung
Olivia Tracey
Ryan Kong
Neil Patel
Bana Hadid
Chibuokem Ikwuazom
Neil Shah
Carl Paulino
Jad Bou Monsef
Impact of Iron Deficiency Anemia on Postoperative Outcomes of Thoracolumbar Spinal Fusion (2+ levels) on Patients with Adult Spinal Deformity with Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up
Spine Surgery and Related Research
sparcs
thoracolumbar fusion
spinal fusion
iron deficiency anemia
adult spinal deformity
outcomes
title Impact of Iron Deficiency Anemia on Postoperative Outcomes of Thoracolumbar Spinal Fusion (2+ levels) on Patients with Adult Spinal Deformity with Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up
title_full Impact of Iron Deficiency Anemia on Postoperative Outcomes of Thoracolumbar Spinal Fusion (2+ levels) on Patients with Adult Spinal Deformity with Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up
title_fullStr Impact of Iron Deficiency Anemia on Postoperative Outcomes of Thoracolumbar Spinal Fusion (2+ levels) on Patients with Adult Spinal Deformity with Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Iron Deficiency Anemia on Postoperative Outcomes of Thoracolumbar Spinal Fusion (2+ levels) on Patients with Adult Spinal Deformity with Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up
title_short Impact of Iron Deficiency Anemia on Postoperative Outcomes of Thoracolumbar Spinal Fusion (2+ levels) on Patients with Adult Spinal Deformity with Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up
title_sort impact of iron deficiency anemia on postoperative outcomes of thoracolumbar spinal fusion 2 levels on patients with adult spinal deformity with minimum 2 year follow up
topic sparcs
thoracolumbar fusion
spinal fusion
iron deficiency anemia
adult spinal deformity
outcomes
url https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/ssrr/9/2/9_2023-0275/_pdf/-char/en
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